For nearly two years, the U.S. has acknowledged a World Cup on its shores wouldn’t bring about peace or save the world. But it should make a whole lot of money.

Reuters

Former President Bill Clinton arrives for the final presentation by the U.S. to FIFA’s executive committee Wednesday in Zurich.

The U.S. team stuck with that message Wednesday in Zurich, with former President Bill Clinton finishing off the presentation with a promise to put on a 2022 World Cup that will be so profitable that it will help FIFA fulfill all of its own social goals and promises.

“I believe FIFA is the main reason soccer has become a unifying force,” Clinton said in some of his final words of the day. “The U.S. is in the best position to help you in fulfilling that mission.”

If Australia’s presentation was about fun, South Korea’s peace and Qatar’s about a new Middle East, the one from the U.S. was about cash, what U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati called a “strategic move” to maximize a growth opportunity. The record attendance of 3.6 million in the U.S.-hosted Cup of 1994 would be shattered. Media rights fees, which have been roughly doubling every four years, would increase exponentially. Not a penny would go toward constructing new stadiums.

Yes, Morgan Freeman talked about the U.S. melting pot. President Barack Obama sent in a video that stressed teamwork and unity. Landon Donovan spoke of being able to unite the nation with the goal he scored against Algeria last summer in South Africa. (Clinton also talked a lot about his own foundation’s work providing health care in the developing world).

But the U.S. strength is money for FIFA and that’s where all the emphasis was. Even Clinton’s memories of watching his daughter play as a 6-year-old had the promise of profits – because she was part of the first generation of Americans who played the game as a standard part of childhood. Now those kids are adults and they are ready to spend for a World Cup.

FIFA has been very good at making money the past decade. The question the organization will answer Thursday when it votes is just how well that accomplishment stacks up against the potential to bring the sort of change that Qatar holds the promise of.

Comments (5 of 45)

FIFA does require covered spectators in all stadiums bidding for the world cup. A concession was made for the 1994 World Cup...

12:02 pm December 2, 2010

DBZND wrote:

Keep it out of North America! Just another way the terrorists & our "Open Border" policy will make life miserable for us. Wonder what Slick Billy has lined up to line his pockets if it does come to the US?! LOL

11:56 am December 2, 2010

Anonymous wrote:

Frankly, who really gives a rip? Never liked the game anyway.

11:31 am December 2, 2010

Clinton missed the mark wrote:

FIFAs mission is to 'Develop the game, touch the world, build a better future' and believes football must remain a simple, beautiful game played by, enjoyed by and touching the lives of all people far and wide. Russia and Qatar were selected over US, England, Japan, and Australia not because of economics, but to bring football to all people. Based on 'Read the Article' comments, events should only be based on revenue and only take place in the US. I guess the poor countries can just be left out.

10:41 am December 2, 2010

kevin wrote:

If you want to make money, you don't go to where there is no money and hope it will follow you. You go where the money is and get in the way!

If the world cup was held in the US, it would fund the programs in all the little Crapistan countries in the middle of nowhere...that's what makes sense, NOT losing money by having the world cup in a little Crapistan country while claiming "but we're bringing peace here!"

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